OpenAI is moving beyond software with the development of a portable smart speaker that lacks a display, Bloomberg reported. The company describes the device as “a new type of computer for the AI era,” positioning it as a human‑like AI companion that lives in the home.
Unlike today’s voice‑only assistants, the speaker will feature mechanical parts that move autonomously, a design choice meant to convey a sense of aliveness. Inside, the hardware will run capabilities powered by OpenAI’s ChatGPT, letting users ask questions, play music or video, control smart‑home devices, and reply to messages.
OpenAI officials say the product diverges sharply from Apple’s lineup and that it is unlikely to violate any of Apple’s trade secrets, despite a recent lawsuit accusing the startup of stealing proprietary information from former Apple employees now at OpenAI. Apple claims the alleged theft is just “the tip of the iceberg.”
The speaker is part of a broader hardware push that has already linked OpenAI to potential AI earbuds slated for later this year or early 2027, as well as a smartphone project in partnership with component makers MediaTek, Qualcomm and Luxshare. A high‑profile collaboration with former Apple designer Jony Ive has also been confirmed.
Rumors suggest OpenAI could roll out up to five different AI‑enabled devices by the end of 2028, ranging from ear‑worn units to larger home fixtures. The company has not responded to requests for comment on the speaker or the broader hardware roadmap.
Industry observers note that a screen‑free speaker could carve out a niche in households that already host multiple voice assistants, offering a more personable interaction through its moving parts and “personality.” Whether consumers will adopt another AI hub remains to be seen, but the move signals OpenAI’s intent to compete directly in the consumer electronics arena.
OpenAI’s hardware ambitions have drawn legal scrutiny beyond Apple. In April 2025, Ziff Davis, the parent company of CNET, filed a lawsuit alleging the AI firm infringed its copyrights in training and operating its models. OpenAI has not publicly addressed that case either.
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